During Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 A.D., Pompeii and Herculaneum in today’s Italy were preserved as they were on the day of their destruction. Particularly at Herculaneum, furnishings were carbonized beneath volcanic ash. This was pivotal to understanding how Classical Roman furniture was designed. Archaeological investigations and printed reproductions of discoveries would influence styles evoking this ancient civilization, from the Renaissance to neoclassicism.
While knowledge of Classical Roman furniture comes from rare surviving pieces, it is also derived from frescoes and sculptures portraying Roman life. Much of Roman art, architecture and design was informed by Greece — Roman architect, military engineer and writer Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, whose timeless De architectura is taught in contemporary architecture classes and pays tribute to classical architecture, visited Greece while working under Julius Caesar and admired the country’s architectural developments. The Roman solium references the Greek thronos, a stately chair of honor with an upright form and footstool. As the Roman Empire spread across Europe and into North Africa and Western Asia, the expansion of trade for silver, silk, marble and wood allowed for more luxurious designs.
Classical Roman furniture was made from bronze, wood and stone — in particular, marble — with ornate touches like tortoiseshell veneers, bone and glass inlays and claw feet. Ornaments depicting lion heads and mythological figures were sculpted from silver, bronze and ivory. Compared to the decorative attention given to the mosaic floors and wall paintings, however, furniture for even a wealthy house was minimal. It focused on the necessities for guests arriving for both socializing and business and the rooms housing family, relatives and enslaved people.
The triclinium dining room had banquet couches, items so prized they were sometimes interred with the deceased. Tall bronze or terracotta candelabras held oil lamps for lighting. Carved marble tables reflected status, while the lararium home shrine demonstrated faith.
Find a collection of Classical Roman decorative objects, tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Sofa Settee 3-Seater Crimson Cut Velvet Italian Toni Facella Sensi Della Penna
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
An opulent, cut-velvet, three seater sofa, by Italian architect & designer Toni Facella Sensi della Penna This sofa epitomises elegance, opulence and com...
Velvet
Luxury brown smooth cow leather Chesterfield sofa with an English look
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This stunning smooth cowhide leather Chesterfield sofa is, partly thanks to its beautiful dark brown color, an amazing eye-catcher in almost any interior. It features loose seat cush...
Cowhide, Leather
$1,647Sale Price|22% Off
Antique Italian Cherrywood Sofa
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Cherry wood center sofa, early '900.
Cherry
Nice cow leather Chesterfield 2-seater sofa in English style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This classic cowhide leather Chesterfield sofa in English style is finished with decorative nailhead trim and upholstered in a beautiful timeless brown color. It radiates timeless el...
Cowhide, Leather
Art Deco black leather 2.5-seater design sofa with beautiful woodwork
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This stunning Art Deco 2.5-seater sofa is from the renowned Dutch brand Schuitema, known for its quality and distinctive designs. This piece comes from the Decoforma series and featu...
Cowhide, Leather, Wood
English cowhide Chesterfield 2.5-seater sofa in a stunning red colour
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This amazing English cowhide Chesterfield 2.5-seater sofa, thanks to its beautiful red colour, is a stunning eye-catcher in almost any interior. It features a loose seat cushion and ...
Cowhide, Leather
Set consisting of a English cowhide Chesterfieldsofa and matching armchair
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This amazing set, consisting of a cowhide Chesterfield sofa and an armchair, is a stunning eye-catcher in almost any interior thanks to its beautiful red colour. They feature loose s...
Cowhide, Leather
Art Deco Schuitema 2.5-Seater Leather Sofa, Hand-Crafted Dutch Design
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this Art Deco Schuitema 2.5-seater leather designer sofa from the Decoforma series, featuring unique woodwork. This stunning Art Deco sofa is made by the top Dutch br...
Leather, Wood
Red 2.5-seater Chesterfield sofa on wheels in English style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This beautiful 2.5-seater Chesterfield sofa in English style, upholstered in genuine cowhide leather, has a distinctive character and a timeless appearance. Its deep red color makes ...
Cowhide, Leather
Italian Sofa Red Velvet
By ALI Alabastri Lavorati Italiani
Located in Long Island, NY
Hand Made Italian Sofa Beautiful Red Velvet With Gold Accents.
Velvet
Tufted Leather Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
Crafted from premium top-grain leather, this sofa boasts a rich caramel hue that invites warmth into any living space. The intricate button-tufted detailing on the backrest provides ...
Leather
$12,179 / set
H 29.14 in W 86.23 in D 30.32 in
LUXURY VINTAGE SERPENTiNE HAND DYED RESTORED BROWN LEATHER CHESTERFIELD SOFA
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored Vintage hand dyed cigar brown leather serpentine fronted Chesterfield club sofa...
Leather
$2,450Sale Price|30% Off
H 32 in W 77 in D 32 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Beautiful Black Leather 3 Seat Sofa Wood Legs
By Børge Mogensen, Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern beautiful Black leather 3 seat sofa dark wood legs. Style of Børge Mogensen. Beautiful Black leather is soft and shows little signs of use but broken in nic...
Leather, Birch
$10,893
H 27.56 in W 68.51 in D 32.88 in
Small Restored Chesterfield Victorian Whisky Brown Leather Sofa
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored Victorian circa 1880 hand dyed Chesterfield two-seat sofa with fully but...
Leather, Mahogany
$10,886
H 29.93 in W 85.83 in D 35.63 in
1950's Hand Dyed Restored Cigar Brown Leather Chesterfield Club Sofa English
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this original 1950’s cigar brown leather Chesterfield club sofa in lightly restored condition with fully buttoned base and solid walnut turned feet...
Leather, Beech, Oak
$5,239
H 31.5 in W 80.71 in D 41.34 in
RESTORED HAND DYED LEATHER 2.5 SEATER CHESTERFiELD TETRAD OSCAR SOFA
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London This restored 2.5 seater Chesterfield sofa is the celebrated Oscar model by Tetrad, a design that reinterprets the traditional Chesterfield with a more relaxed, ...
Leather
$3,250
H 28 in W 64 in D 33 in
Vintage Black Leather 64"W Chesterfield Sofa Settee Perfectly Broken In English
Located in Atlanta, GA
Vintage Black Leather Chesterfield Sofa or Settee, English, circa 1960s. It is perfectly broken in and has that warm original patina that only comes with age.
Metal
Handsome Chesterfield Style Button Tufted Leather Sofa
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A handsome sofa with classic Chesterfield elegance, designed with a gently arched back and rolled arms lavishly button tufted and upholstered in rich, red-brown leather. Arms and apr...
Leather, Wood
Art Deco Sofa Three Seat Sofa with Curved Form
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, fabric, beech, Europe, 1940s This sofa from the 1940s is a clear example of Art Deco design, combining strong proportions with subtle decorative detail. The curved arms and li...
Fabric, Beech
De Sede 2-Seat Sofa Black Leather Sofa, 1970
By De Sede
Located in Munich, Bavaria
De Sede black leather 2-seat sofa from 1970. Both seats are extendable for much more lounge seat comfort. This sofa model is well known from German Artist Joseph Beuys. Beuys got a 4-seat leather sofa from this De Sede Model in his atelier. The Photographer Robert Lebeck...
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Leather Sofa, Italy 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Leather Sofa is a design furniture realized by italian production 1960s. Original Upholstery. Good condition except for slight stitching of the sewing thread.
Leather
Comfortable vintage sheepskin 2.5-seater club sofa
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This fantastic sheepskin sofa has a great vintage look and beautiful warm colours. It can be easily placed in almost any interior. Not only in a home environment, but also in, for ex...
Leather, Sheepskin
An Italian Walnut Classical Sofa
Located in New York, NY
An Italian walnut Classical sofa with hand-carved frame, the triple arched back and seat upholstered in 18th Century needlework with detailed petit-point depicting the celebration of...
Walnut